Press Releases
Durbin, Crapo Celebrate Senate Passage of Bipartisan Resolution To Designate February As American Heart Month
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Caucus, today celebrated Senate passage of their bipartisan resolution to designate February 2025 as American Heart Month. The resolution reaffirms the government’s commitment to fighting cardiovascular disease by supporting research and improving access to affordable, quality care to reduce long-term disability and mortality. “As the leading cause … Continue Reading
February 24, 2025
On Third Anniversary Of Russia's Full-Scale Invasion Of Ukraine, Durbin Reiterates Bipartisan Congressional Support For Ukraine
WASHINGTON - On the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, spoke on the Senate floor in support of Ukraine. During his speech, Durbin condemned President Trump’s appeasement to Russian President Vladimir Putin—where Trump announced key concessions to Putin regarding Ukraine, while apparently ignoring Ukraine’s key demands. Durbin began his speech by reflecting on President Reagan’s … Continue Reading
February 24, 2025
On The Third Anniversary Of Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine, Durbin Introduces Bill To Grant Ukrainians Already In The U.S. Temporary Guest Status
WASHINGTON - On the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today introduced the Protecting our Guests During Hostilities in Ukraine Act, legislation that would provide temporary guest status to Ukrainians and their immediate family members who are already in the United States through the “Uniting for Ukraine” parole process. The bill … Continue Reading
February 24, 2025
Durbin, Senate Judiciary, Approps Democratic Leaders Denounce President Trump's Unlawful Transfer Of Immigrants To Guantánamo
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led Democratic leaders of the Senate Judiciary and Appropriations Committees in a letter to President Trump denouncing his transfer of immigrants from the United States to Guantánamo as unlawful and asking for answers to basic questions yet to be provided to Congress. The Senators begin by denouncing the transfers, writing: “We write to object to your illegal and unjustified … Continue Reading
February 24, 2025
Durbin Reintroduced Bipartisan Legislation To Protect Rural Postal Processing Facilities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would require the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to protect mail processing centers in rural communities by mandating a study on the consequences of downsizing or closing these facilities, which is already required before the closure of a storefront post office, but not forProcessing and Distribution Centers (P&DCs). The Postal Processing Protection Act … Continue Reading
February 21, 2025
Republicans Block Durbin-Murray Amendment To Reverse Devastating And Illegal Cuts To NIH Medical Research
SPRINGFIELD - Last night during the Senate’s vote-a-rama, Senate Republicans blocked U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Patty Murray’s (D-WA) amendment that would reverse massive, arbitrary cuts to lifesaving medical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that President Donald Trump and Elon Musk tried to make earlier this year by freezing federal grant funding and setting the maximum reimbursement rate … Continue Reading
February 21, 2025
Republicans Block Durbin-Murray Amendment To Reverse Devastating And Illegal Cuts To NIH Medical Research
SPRINGFIELD - Last night during the Senate’s vote-a-rama, Senate Republicans blocked U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Patty Murray’s (D-WA) amendment that would reverse massive, arbitrary cuts to lifesaving medical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that President Donald Trump and Elon Musk tried to make earlier this year by freezing federal grant funding and setting the maximum reimbursement rate … Continue Reading
February 21, 2025
Durbin Joins Introduction Of Legislation To Defund Implementation Of Trump's Unconstitutional Attempt To Eliminate Birthright Citizenship
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) to introduce the Born in the USA Act to effectively block the implementation of President Trump’s unconstitutional Executive Order attempting to end automatic citizenship for children born in the United States. This bill would prevent any government funds from being used to carry out or enforce this directive, which violates the U.S. … Continue Reading
February 20, 2025
Durbin Stresses Need To Remove Big Tech's Liability Shield To Protect Kids From Online Fentanyl Sales
WASHINGTON - During an executive business meeting to consider the HALT Fentanyl Act, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke about the importance of allowing people to sue social media companies when they or their loved ones are harmed by online fentanyl sales. Durbin offered an amendment to the bill to repeal Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which he ultimately withdrew after securing an agreement with U.S. Senator … Continue Reading
February 20, 2025
Durbin Files Amendments To Republicans' Budget Bill
WASHINGTON - Ahead of tonight’s vote-a-rama, where Senate Democrats will expose the truth about Republicans’ reconciliation budget bill, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, filed amendments that reflect his priorities as Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee. “Overnight, Senate Republicans will attempt to advance a budget resolution that clears the way to cut taxes for President Trump and Elon Musk’s billionaire friends. And … Continue Reading
February 20, 2025
Durbin Rebukes Trump Administration's Dangerous, Unprecedented Actions Undermining The Rule Of Law
WASHINGTON - At today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, began the meeting by detailing how unprecedented, dangerous actions by the Trump Administration are actively undermining the rule of law and making Americans less safe. Today marks one month since Donald Trump was inaugurated. Key Quotes: “On Monday, President Trump posted on social media ‘He who saves his Country … Continue Reading
February 20, 2025
Durbin Statement On The Confirmation Of Kash Patel, President Trump's Pick For FBI Director
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today voted against President Donald Trump’s pick to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel. The Senate voted to confirm his nomination by a vote of 51-49. “After meeting with Mr. Patel, reviewing his record, and questioning him at his hearing, I am convinced that he has neither the experience, the judgment, nor the temperament to lead the FBI. My … Continue Reading
February 20, 2025
Senate Judiciary Democrats Slam DOJ Decision To Replace Apolitical Ethics Official With Inexperienced Political Appointees
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led all Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in an oversight letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, criticizing Department of Justice (DOJ) officials’ reported decision to replace a high-ranking career official handling sensitive ethics matters with two inexperienced political appointees. The decision is a dramatic departure from … Continue Reading
February 20, 2025
Durbin: Kash Patel's Record Shows He Is A Dangerous, Inexperienced, & Dishonest Trump Loyalist Who Is Not Qualified To Serve As Next FBI Director
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered his closing argument against the nomination of Kash Patel to serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In his remarks delivered shortly before the vote on Patel’s nomination, Durbin underscored Patel’s extremism, his blind loyalty to President Trump, his dangerous support of January 6 insurrectionists, and his … Continue Reading
February 20, 2025
Durbin, Marshall Introduce Protecting Patients From Deceptive Drug Ads Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) today introduced the Protecting Patients from Deceptive Drug Ads Act, bipartisan legislation that would protect public health and close regulatory loopholes by having the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) address false and misleading prescription drug promotions by social media influencers and telehealth companies. The prevalence of online promotions and direct-to-consumer advertisements … Continue Reading
February 19, 2025
Durbin Criticizes Trump And Musk For Dismantling Of USAID And Harming American Farmers In Senate Floor Speech
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) criticized President Trump and Elon Musk’s ill-advised mission to dismantle the U.S. Agency forInternational Development (USAID)—the largest distributor of humanitarian aid in the world. Consequently, programs that provide clean drinking water, treat debilitating disease, and advance human rights have been shut down, recklessly gutting American soft power and providing a huge strategic opening … Continue Reading
February 19, 2025
Durbin: President Trump Is A Pushover For Russian President Vladimir Putin
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, spoke on the Senate floor condemning President Donald Trump after he publicly attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Further parroting a Kremlin propaganda point, President Trump also falsely claimed that Ukraine started the war against Russia. “Three years ago, the Russian invasion of Ukraine was not a partisan issue in the United States. Congressmen … Continue Reading
February 19, 2025
Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Stopping The Exploitation Of Children Online
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Children’s Safety in the Digital Era: Strengthening Protections and Addressing Legal Gaps.” Durbin questioned Mary Leary, a Law Professor at Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law, about Section 230 immunity. In his remarks, Durbin cited his own experience going after Big Tobacco and in … Continue Reading
February 19, 2025
Durbin, Hawley Announce Reintroduction Of Stop CSAM Act
WASHINGTON - In conjunction with today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on child safety online, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) announced that they will reintroduce the STOP CSAM Act. The bipartisan legislation would crack down on the proliferation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online by allowing victims to sue companies that host this material, among other things. The Judiciary … Continue Reading
February 19, 2025
Durbin Condemns President Trump's Comments About Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, released the following statement after President Donald Trump publicly attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In the post, President Trump claimed the U.S. was “duped” into spending billions to help Ukraine defend itself following Russia’s 2022 full-scale military invasion and that President Zelenskyy is a “dictator without elections.” Further parroting a Kremlin propaganda point, … Continue Reading